Malaria pills

1.
Posted byewalgate(Budding Member 3 posts) 13y
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Travellers to tropical countries will hopefully be able to offer me some advice/info on malaria pills.

I'll be doing a year long trek through Central and South America and am going to need some malaria pills. I know it's affordable, but is it wise to purchase malaria pills in latin america? Is it true that certain malaria pills (malarone,mefloquine) can cause mental side effects?

Also, can anyone recommend some good brands of insect repellent?

Please help me avoid becoming a feverish, Malaria wracked invalid!

Cheers

2.
Posted byleahrb(Full Member 209 posts) 13y
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this doesn´t help much becuase I can´t remember the name of the type of malaria medicine we used but it made my sister really dizzy and she almost passed out. (the hot, close conditions didn´t help) After that we took it at night and didn´t have any problems. So whatever you take maybe it´s better to take it at night than in the morning... If you´re worried about carrying a year´s supply with you as far as space goes they are very small pills and it might be worth the peace of mind to just take them all with you.

3.
Posted bycalendula(Budding Member 9 posts) 13y
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We were in a high malaria part of Africa for 15 months and took malarone without side effects. After 90 days it is advised to discontinue so we took Artesunate, a chinese herb my acupuncturist gave me and that is distributed by WHO for people who already have malaria. Then after a few weeks went back to malarone. Never got sick. Others in our group took, Larium,(mefloquine hydrochloride) once a week and they had a one day reaction everytime, AND they got malaria. If you are going for less than 90 days i recommend Malarone, it costs more and it is worth every penny not to contract malaria and not feel bad from the drug. also wear long sleeves and trousers at dusk especially and i used spray.

I also remember a traveling companion in India years ago took Larium and was sick everyday. I took nothing for that trip, except i slathered myself with Eucalyptus essential oil, pure (neat as they say). and was fine. Take a big bottle and make sure it's the real thing, E. Globulus, or E.Smithii, are some varieties and take malaria pills if there is a high risk

I took malariapills once and couldn't feel my left arm anymore. Most people I spoke to then told me they had pills with them but did not take them. Malariapills are very 'heavy', not really good for you and they don't stop you from getting malaria, just from getting an attack. The best thing to do is prevent to get bitten by musquitos, use a spray with DEET, wear long trousers and shirt in the morning and evening.But that was Asia so I don't know if it's don like that in South-Central Americo

hope not to confuse

Koen

5.
Posted byleahrb(Full Member 209 posts) 13y
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I remembered the name 5 min after I was off the computer...The name of the malaria pills we took was doxy (something) (I still can´t think of the full name becuase we just called it our doxy)Make sure you find out if you need to take the malaria medicine 2 weeks before you get there and then continue taking it after you come back. That at least is how the doxy works.Another thing to consider is if the medicine is to prevent malaria and then will help you if you do get it or if it is just to prevent the malaria.

6.
Posted bypeppamintG(Inactive 11 posts) 13y
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Hello ewalgate you are very sensible in asking this question as im sure some malaria tablets could have side affects. I recently went to the dominican republic and opted for Avloclor which i had to take 2 weeks prior to going to the dominican and all the way thru my stay. These proved to have no side affects with me but they do leave a bitter taste at the back of ur throat which lasts about a minute or so.

Also when it comes to repellent I must advise that you do not use one which contains the chemical DEET as it is reactive with other things such as suncream and when these two come in2 contact they can cause a number of things to happen such as aching joints, red sores, and much worse but i have forgotten those im afraid, but i believe that by using repellent containing Deet with suncream played some part in putting me in hospital so its better to look for other repellents.

Also i read in a magazin article that Marmite is something mosquito's hate and if you ate, or drank marmite b4 you went on your travells then this wud also repell insects as they will be able to smell it within you and therfore not bite you-but if you don't like marmite you may want to stick to what i've said above

I hope this is of use to you and i hope you enjoy your travells x

7.
Posted bystevieh(Respected Member 615 posts) 13y
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Hi,There is unfortunately no one answer to this question I'm afraid. You need to do a lot of research and ask at several pharmacies near you. Don't just ask one, as they may get it wrong. They are not specialists in this, so get several opinions and a consensus should appear.Also, you need up-to-date advice. Chloroquine has now become useless in sub-saharan areas (Africa) because the mozzies have developed immunities.Do not think you can do without tablets. Malaria kills 1 million people a year, and even if it doesn't kill you, it is with you for life.Larium is to be used with care, but it is by far the most effective. I used it in Tanzania and had a few vivid dreams, but that could have been the altitude (on Kili). But I'd rather have dreams than Malaria.But you must also take every precaution not to get bitten in the first place. Wear long pants and sleeves and find a repellent that suits you.